heartrending

[ hahrt-ren-ding ]

/ ˈhɑrtˌrɛn dɪŋ /

causing or expressing intense grief, anguish, or distress.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1680–90; heart + rending

Related formsheart·rend·ing·ly, adverb

Can be confusedgut-wrenching heartrending

Clearly, the voters were rewarding his heartrending performance of “ I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
Golden Globes 2011: Watch the Funniest Moments|The Daily Beast Video|January 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The band sounded a wailing chord, and the whole audience broke into loud, heartrending weeping.
The Imported Bridegroom|Abraham Cahan
Some of the scenes witnessed here were heartrending in the extreme.
The Johnstown Horror|James Herbert Walker
Far and wide as the waste extended were these heartrending and distressing noises to be heard.
In Love With the Czarina and Other Stories|Mr Jkai

Then, with a heartrending sob, Claire drew open the door and hurried from the room.
The Master of the Ceremonies|George Manville Fenn
They elected to come with us, accompanied by their families and live stock, and they offered a most heartrending spectacle.
My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War|Ben Viljoen.